The Karate Kid Remake Trailer

Published 5 years ago
by
Ross Miller
, Updated March 15th, 2013 at 12:20 pm,

Following some first official images, Columbia Pictures has released the first trailer for The Karate Kid (formerly titled The Kung Fu Kid), the remake of the classic ’80s movie. The film stars Jaden Smith (son of megastar, Will Smith) as Dre Parker who, because of work pressure for his single mother, moves to China and soon thereafter comes up against a bully. His misfortune catches the eye of Mr. Han (read: this new version’s Mr. Myagi), played by Jackie Chan. Mr. Han then teaches young Dre karate, presumably in order to defend himself.

There’s been much negative fan reaction to this Karate Kid remake, some people citing Jaden Smith playing the lead role as their problem, others just generally hating the idea of remaking such a classic movie that a lot of people hold dearly from their childhoods (myself included). This trailer starts out alright, but the further it gets into it, particularly when that annoying and cliched rap music kicks in, the more it looks very “blah” to me.

I won’t say anymore for now, check it out for yourself, courtesy of Yahoo below.

You can watch the trailer in HD over at Yahoo.

Well, I must admit it doesn’t look as wretchedly awful as some (myself included) were expecting it to be – but it doesn’t completely squash my apprehensions about it, either. I hate that they’ve thrown in a hip-hop feel (whatever that means ) and the more grown-up (since The Pursuit of Happyness) Jaden Smith doesn’t have the instant likability and charisma to pull off the role, particularly to make those few lines he utters in that trailer seem cool, something I imagine was the intention.

Perhaps the biggest mistake made about this project (apart from giving the it the greenlight ) was getting Harald Zwart to direct it. Why’s that? Well, he was responsible for the Pink Panther sequel with Steve Martin, as well as Agent Cody Banks with Frankie “Malcolm in the Middle” Muniz (ouch on both accounts). Of all the directors they could have chosen, I have no idea why they went for Zwart. It’s almost as if they wanted to give themselves a challenge!

Anyway, enough from me, what are YOUR thoughts on our first proper look at The Karate Kid remake? Does the trailer inspire confidence that it may be decent? Or does it confirm previous suspicions that it’s going to suck, muddying the legacy of the original Karate Kid?

The Karate Kid is set to kick its way into theaters on June 11th, 2010.

I think everyone has a valid point or two, I dont wish to drag it out further, since Im pretty sure we all can agree that racism is bad, some can be subtle, and sometimes the card is thrown in without merit.

Back to the movie. It looks like it will sucketh the giant tomato, but i will eventually will come here to see what the reviewers have to say before deciding to rent or not to rent it.

12-year-old Dre Parker (Smith) could’ve been the most popular kid in Detroit, but his mother’s (Henson) latest career move has landed him in China. Dre immediately falls for his classmate Mei Ying — and the feeling is mutual — but cultural differences make such a friendship impossible. Even worse, Dre’s feelings make an enemy of the class bully, Cheng. In the land of kung fu, Dre knows only a little karate, and Cheng puts “the karate kid” on the floor with ease. With no friends in a strange land, Dre has nowhere to turn but maintenance man Mr. Han (Chan), who is secretly a master of kung fu. As Han teaches Dre that kung fu is not about punches and parries, but maturity and calm, Dre realizes that facing down the bullies will be the fight of his life.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: While the original is beloved, it’s far from a “great” film. Pretty formulaic and mediocre, but it struck a chord. So this one doesn’t need to be Lawrence of Arabia to match it.

@ Joe, I agree with you most old franchises when they are redone are not improved. But there are some that when I saw them in the 80s I thought were great but when I look at them today they are cheesy and not as great as I thought they were.

I loved Batman with Michael Keaton in 89 when I saw it but I have to tell you IMO it pails in comparison to Batman Begins.

Taz G says:
January 2, 2010 at 8:49 am
“Most of the blogosphere that is experessing displeasure surrounding this film has a major problem with Jayden Smith’s Complexion when there is more of a problem with the setting of the film in that Karate is Japanese in origin and the film takes place in China.”

There are signs of intelligence out there, hooray!

I think my own take on the title would be that Dre knew a little Karate, so he’s “The Karate Kid” but he has to learn Kung Fu to defeat the bully, lol. Ok, so that’s kind of prejudice against Karate, but whatever… At least that makes a little bit of sense… Either way, I don’t have very high hopes for this one…

Ummmmmmm… I’m a little late to this thread, but isn’t that “hip hop song” in the background the song “Remember The Name” by Fort Minor – which is the hip-hop pseudonym of Mike Shinoda, the half white, half Asian front man of Rock group Linkin Park?

So… You guys complaining about the “hip-hop vibe” are actually complaining (in large part) about the music of a white/Asian guy who likes hip-hop. Which kinda makes your arguments about a film where “hip-hop culture meets Asian culture” kind of ironic and funny.

Every genre of music – every category of anything – is balanced by good and bad, exceptional and horrible. You really need to take any allusion to the word “intelligence” out of your name. Like, PRONTO.

And you’re wrong about “race baiting.” I’m pointing out that the music in the trailer – aside from having a direct correlation to the themes of the film in terms of lyrical content, also fit the themes of the film in terms of who is performing the music.

If I catch you making more “have some Kool-Aid” type comments steps will be taken to keep you off the comment threads. Whether you’re joking or not, that sort of talk can definitely be taken the wrong way.

You don’t have what it takes to strike my chord, “Bruh,” Only people with intelligent rebuttals can do that

I actually love the fact that Jaden Smith is playing the karate kid and that Jackie Chan is playing his teacher. I grew up liking the original movies with ralph munche, but I didn’t like the one with hilary swank in it. I actually think Jaden smith did a good job so far as i can see from the trailer. I can’t wait to see the movie.

People, like IlligentIQ, who don’t like hip hop or rap are entitled to their opinion. My professor used to say rap is crap, lol..but he was a great person and prof regardless of his views on rap.

However, I do feel that people who judge the remake without seeing the movie can’t be very fair about it.

I personally hate rap too, but that’s just my personal musical taste, I’m sure a lot of you hate the music I listen to and that’s fine by me, I don’t listen to music real loudly in my car to impress other people, I listen to music for myself. I can care less what’s “cool” or popular now…

JIMMY: They were actually making fun of the fly thing…he used a fly swatter instead of the chopsticks….he is a joke. Mr. Myagi caught it in the chopsticks which makes him much more skilled and awesome!